Your visit to Hangzhou won’t be complete without an afternoon spent in the Longjing Tea Plantation, where Longjing Tea, China’s best green tea, thrives.

Bordered by Tianzhu Mountain and Beigao Peak to the north, Longjing Tea Plantation centered on Phoenix Hill spreads out gracefully spanning 240 hectares. Longjing Tea Plantation resembles a green ribbon clinging to the gentle slopes, elevated no more than 400m above sea level. The mist and clouds that envelope this area all year round lend it a sense of mystery and beauty. Along its base rests eight villages. These shining abodes of immortal beauty are Longjing, Manjuelong, Jiuxi, Wengjiashan, Yangmeiling, Shuangfeng and Maojiabu. The favorable geological conditions, agreeable climate and mineral-rich, fertile soil are keys to Longjing Tea’s impeccable quality and enduring legacy.

While the soaring peaks succeed in preventing the chilly north wind in winters, West Lake, Qiantang River and the Nine Creeks (Jiuxi) contribute to foster moisture and regulate temperature during scorching summers. In these tea villages, you can pick some fresh Longjing Tea, marvel at the intriguing tea cultivating process and enjoy the most authentic tea ceremony.

After one and half years of renovation, the former Longjing Tea Plantation on No.268, Wengjiashan, Longjing Road, has been rebuilt into the Longjing Pavilion of China Tea Museum and opened to the public on May 1, 2015.

Longjing Pavilion has overall area of 113mu (about 75,333 sq m), with the forest coverage of 70% including 17.52mu of Longjing Tea Plantation. The pavilion, with 5,000sq m of planning construction area, is of Jiangnan local dwelling style.

Integrated with collection, exhibition, investigation, communication and experience functions, Longjing Pavilion sets up international tea section, china tea section, West Lake Longjing Tea section and an interactive experience project. In the pavilion resembling a forest park, visitors can join in rich tea culture activities such as making tea or tea pot, reading tea books and learn tea art.